James T. Schmidt, Jr.

Brian Finucane is a partner in the firm's Kansas City office. He has practiced exclusively in the field of labor and employment law since 1977. Brian provides a broad range of legal services in employment law, from daily client consultation designed to avoid legal problems to defending clients in complex class action litigation. He also represents clients in traditional labor law matters, negotiating contracts and handling National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) matters, union contract arbitrat...

Bob Kirkland is the Founding Partner of the law firm of Kirkland Woods & Martinsen LLP, which has offices in Liberty, Missouri, Springfield, Missouri and Overland Park, Kansas. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Kansas. He works with a variety of individual clients, handling the preparation of Wills, Living Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Irrevocable Trusts, Charitable Trusts and Minor’s Trusts, and counseling clients in the areas of gifting techniques, asset protect...

Roger Nail is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Roger, who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Roger is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melody Rayl is a partner in the Kansas City office. Melody counsels and advocates for private and public-sector employers in all aspects of employment litigation and traditional labor law. Melody regularly advises and counsels her clients through difficult situations with an eye to preventing litigation before it occurs and provides training to supervisory and management level personnel on a variety of employment related topics. When litigation does occur, Melody works with employers in defen...

Katrina Smeltzer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Katrina, who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katrina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff Kennard chairs SAKG's Construction & Design practice group and is also a member of the firm's Business & Commercial litigation practice group. He has tried or arbitrated more than 20 cases to verdict or award. His clients include publicly-traded companies, several of America's largest private companies, and small businesses. Although Jeff advises clients at all phases of a construction project, the principal focus of his practice is dispute resolution. For more than two decades, ...

Andrew Schermerhorn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Andrew, who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David M. Mayer is the managing shareholder of Monsees & Mayer, P.C., based in Kansas City, Missouri. His practice focuses on Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, representing individuals harmed by negligence and unsafe conditions. David regularly advocates for victims of sexual abuse , motor vehicle accidents , and premises liability incidents. As a Kansas City native, he is committed to helping clients, particularly children a...

Thomas C. Jones is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs and Railroad Law. Thomas C., who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas C. is held by other top la...

Trina Ricketts is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Trina, who practices law in Kansas City, Missouri, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Trina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.